Senior Associates

Karyn Cummings, Ed.D.
Karyn has 38 years of experience in public education having served most recently as the Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services in Mesquite ISD. She specializes in mentorship with respect to school leadership, communication strategies, strategic planning, development and implementation of policies and regulations, and alignment related to student data and instructional practices.
Paul Dabbs, Ph.D.
Paul has more than 17 years of experience in public education. Paul previously held management positions in the technology sector over a 25-year career in the areas of strategic planning, economic analysis, and network analysis. He served most recently as the Director for Research and Campus Data Support in Plano ISD.
Phil Eaton
Phil has more than 40 years of experience in education. He has served as a teacher, head basketball coach, assistant principal, and principal. Most recently he served as the Principal of Lake Creek High School in Montgomery ISD, where he also served in the same capacity at Montgomery High School.
Kem Edwards
Kem has more than 25 years of experience in education. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Kem has extensive experience in leading professional learning for educators. Most recently she served as Director of Counseling Services and Manager of the CARE Clinic in Mesquite ISD.
Roy Garcia
Roy has more than 30 years of experience in education as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and central office administrator. Most recently he served as Chief Officer for School Leadership in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD where he supported the health services, guidance and counseling, professional learning, and school leadership departments.
Ken Helvey, Ed.D.
Ken has more than 30 years of experience in education having served most recently as superintendent in Allen ISD. He specializes in group facilitation, assessment and accountability, boundary realignment, bond planning, and strategic planning.
Misty Kainer
Misty has worked in public education for over 30 years as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Since retiring in 2015, she has worked as an account executive with NWEA. She is passionate about working with school communities to promote a positive culture as well as using all resources to enhance student growth.
Brad Lancaster, Ed.D.
Brad has 37 years of experience in education having most recently served as Superintendent of Schools for Lake Travis ISD and Midway ISD. Brad has also served as a special education and regular education classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal and central office administrator. He has a special interest in supporting districts with superintendent searches, facilitating community meetings and helping fast-growth school districts plan for the future.
Jenny Preston, Ed.D.
Jenny has 30 years of experience in education having most recently served as partner in Horn, Smith, Wood and Preston Superintendent Search Firm where she facilitated board training, leadership development, and strategic planning for more than 60 school districts. Jenny has also served as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent.
Robert Robertson
Robert has over 40 years of experience in facility management in K-12 and higher education having most recently served as the associate superintendent for facility and school services in Klein ISD. Robert specializes in facility operations, capital projects and bond planning, attendance boundaries and demographics, and how all support the strategic vision of the district.
Tom Trigg, Ed.D.
Tom has 49 years of experience in the field of education having most recently served as the superintendent of Highland Park ISD in Texas. Tom has experience and special interest in Bond Planning/Elections, Strategic Planning, Leadership Development, and Executive Coaching.
Grisel Wallace
In her 34 years in Texas public schools, Grisel has served as a Bilingual/Dual Language teacher, reading interventionist, Bilingual Facilitator, and Assistant Principal, retiring as principal in LaPorte ISD. She specializes in leadership coaching, promoting a culture of voice for all, and educational equity in schools.